Examples Of Ambiguity In The Swimmer By John Cheever

Ambiguity refers to the ability of a behavior, word or expression that can be understood or interpreted in different ways. There are two types of ambiguity. The first type refers to unintentional, ambiguity being used unintentionally. This means that the range of ambiguity is not under control and therefore can spiral into a negative outcome. The second type of ambiguity refers to it being used strategically. This means that ambiguity can be used to create critical thinking among the readership. The reader is then encouraged to create and participate in figuring out the story’s meaning in depth. The short story by John Cheever “The Swimmer” creates ambiguity throughout the story. The main character, Neddy, is depicted as a male individual who enjoys swimming. Ned decided to return home by swimming across the various pools of their neighbors’ homes. Ned then embarks on a journey through pools in the county. Throughout the journey, the neighbors show ambiguous perceptions in the presence of Ned. Some pools are empty, while others are excessively muddy and full, with chemicals. Thereafter, the neighbors become more hostile. As the story goes on, the reader realizes that Ned hides a tormented past and is slowly showing increasing instability and vulnerability. In the story by Sherwood Anderson “Hands” the author portrays signs of
As mentioned before when a text contains unintentional ambiguity it tends to result in almost always negative. The ambiguity is also often uncontrolled causing negative interpretation. Wing Biddlebaum can be seen as a pedophile and also as a homosexual. The reader can suggest this just by reading the passage of the story. The following is from the story “Hands,” “Although he still hungered for the presence of the boy, who was the medium through which he expressed his love of man…” this suggests that Wing Biddle did have hidden feeling for George